Mobile robot leak detector in a metal pipe

Transportation of various fluids through pipes is an integral part of infrastructure of modern society. The aging of this pipeline brings concerns about the potential danger that can lead to leaks in the pipes. The rehabilitation of obsolete distribution networks is often done by inserting a new pipe within the old pipe.

The location of leaks in these new facilities has become more difficult. Now the gas diffuses into the annular space between the old and the new pipe and usually spring branching away from original leak. This represents a situation where the usual leak detection techniques are not adequate.

My Robot will solve this problem, and give a lot of potential benefits.

This idea will be applied on piping, so let's talk a little about the ideas other currently available in the marketplace.

For the detection of such leaks, alternative techniques have been published in journals and scientific sites. Detection methods can be classified and/or leak location by degree of identification difficulty:

1. Detection of the existence of the leak:Strong pressure was injected into a long closed pipe. If leaks exist, there is a decrease in internal pressure of the pipe due to losses by leakage. We also measured the flows into and out from one end to the other of the pipe, the existence of a difference between the two measures can only come from a leak.

2. Location of the site of the leak by continuous monitoring of the pipes :For example, were injected the nitrous oxide on the one hand and a supersonic signal on the other hand, the trace of each of the two is then attempting to detect along the line of action of the gas from one end to the other.

3. Detection and location of the leak from information collected at the inlet and / or outlet pipe:In the third category were used mathematical models of the flow of gaseous fluid in pipes while measuring different variables such as pressure, flow rate etc...All methods mentioned above are expensive and only detect large leaks.

My solution is more sophisticated and cheap, it’s the design of a mobile robot for leaks detected in a metal pipe, it’s in places where human interference is impossible and the sensitivity of the controlled pipelines requires an error-free and effective treatment, based on taking an image and viewed the reference for comparison with other images, if the image doesn't coincide with the other reference that means that there is a leak.

Generally this is how it works. This idea will reduce injuries, safe humanoid, improving public safety and security because the human being is out of danger and with no contact with gas. Saving time and money and earth because will use alternative energy for charging the battery (solar energy).

The robot will be Manufactured with CNC for mechanical parts and electric and electronic as usual, and it will be cheap and accessible for all companies if we compare with the other solutions.